Ideas and Places for the Perfect Date - The Opener

Investment banker by day, gym junkie by night - but always a writer at heart.

Published June 4th 2014

The Perfect First Date Starting With Bluebird

Put aside the clichéd movie date; there is no opportunity for bonding in the dark hush of the cinemas. Instead, take a look at this three part series for better alternatives that will undoubtedly bring you and your date closer.

The Opener – A Café

Everyone knows a first date should be casual, light-hearted, and nothing too much. You're just trying to get to know each other a bit more to see if there's anything there worth pursuing. For this reason cafés have been a long-time favourite and with good cause: there's less pressure, it's comfortable, relatively cheap, and there's a fast escape route if things start to go bad.

Take advantage of the relaxed setting to open up your date and bond on a more personal level. Just don't let the casual date lull you into complacency – you're still there to impress. No Gloria Jeans or Starbucks for you; try adding this quaint little café to your repertoire.

This cute little café with its dim yet warm ambience is tucked away just inside of Regent Place Arcade between Town Hall station and Event Cinemas on George Street. In addition to the friendly staff and variety of coffees, sweets, and savories, this café serves the only matcha latte I've had in Sydney that actually tastes real (like the ones in Japan). The menu, artistically scrawled on a chalkboard, includes sandwiches and wraps with the usual hot and cold drinks, as well as a variety of desserts that need to be enquired after.

Grab a cup, and maybe a bite, and take pleasure in the warmth of your drinks, the cosy atmosphere, and each other's company. If all goes well, leave together but don't take the exit onto George Street. Venture deeper into Regent Place Arcade. Grab a famous green tea ice cream or Japanese hotdog from Chanoma Café if the stomach is craving for more, and head towards the rear exit. The exotic street feel of the Japanese restaurants and the sudden emptiness of the escalators will create a rollercoaster of emotion, from comfort, to excitement, to intimacy.

From here it's your choice. You're close to the cinemas, pubs, Darling Harbour and China Town. The Friday Night Markets of China Town are a good bit of casual fun and food. For the more romantic, if it's not too soon, a casually intimate walk along the ever-colourful nightlife of Darling Place could lead to somewhere to extend the date. The little light shows that flicker across the children's water park and the trees that are bedecked with fairy lights create a magical atmosphere while you decide where to go next. Home? Or the nearby playground. Or perhaps Harbourside for food, shopping, bowling, or laser skirmish. Maybe some music at Tokio Hotel or Cargo Bar? Just remember to end the night on a high note and leave your partner wanting more.